Introduction
The evolution of cosmetics has played a significant role in the civilization that has been massively witnessed in the world. Though the current cosmetic users do not recognize this fact, for several centuries, cosmetics were used in religious ceremonies, for the enhancement of beauty and also for the promotion of good health. This assisted in altering the way people looked, fixed their bodies in times of ill-health and also enabled the expression of religion, as well as, beliefs in different communities. Presently, the cosmetic industry has been tremendously successful thus presenting a broad base of products to choose from. Essentially, the use of cosmetics even in ancient times indicates the primary concerns associated with civilization. Such include offering protection from sunburns, its association with systems of class in the society and also its perception in terms of beauty. With this, cosmetics had a major role to play in the advancements from the ancient to the modern ways of living. With this, the following article will discuss the history of cosmetics, particularly during the Western civilization. Besides, it will mention the significant episodes during this fundamental period.
The ancient history of Cosmetics
Right from the old times not only women but also men used cosmetics for the enhancement of their looks. They wore necklaces, bracelets, and pendants. Such were made from shells and ivory. Research has also shown that prehistoric people tattooed and also painted themselves. In Northern Europe, the iron-age man had manicured nails. Further South, the use of cosmetics was also evident with perfumes being prevalent. Besides, the eye, as well as, lip pigments that were made from different minerals were also commonly used. The Greeks too were not left in this hype around cosmetic application. Their women, particularly made use of white lead to transform themselves into pale complexions. They were also recognized because of their elaborate hairstyles. Notably, at this time, there were no mirrors and as a result, women used polished surfaces of metals as mirrors. All these substantially assisted in enhancing the beauty of women during the ancient times.
It can be deduced that the use of cosmetics commenced some 12000 years ago through the discovery by the ancient Egyptians of the healing ability of scented oils. As a result, their cosmetic industry tremendously rose to a point where it was now considered as part of their religion. The numerous gods that they had received honor through the application of several loads of cosmetics. Besides, there was massive usage of oils and eyeliners for the enhancement of looks. Despite the fact that some of these products were poisonous, their love for cosmetics did not deter them from their application. However, the cosmetics received broad resistance, especially in Greece and Rome when they ultimately found their way out of Egypt. This was because they were primarily considered to be unneeded, as well as, extravagant by several quarters. In the Roman Empire, there was a time when women who did not where cosmetics were regarded as not beautiful. As a result of these massive demands, there was the inflation of prices, making the acquisition of the products very expensive, thus being left only for the rich women who could afford the commodity.
For purposes of countering this problem, the Senate in Rome passed new legislation that barred public portrayal of cosmetics and also the exhibitions of extravagant dressing by their women in every city in the empire. Worth noting is that the use of cosmetics also received equal treatment in other societies that did not wholly embrace it. For instance, in some societies, one was to be killed if he was found having applied nail polish. This was a privilege that was left only for the wealthy. However, others forbade their women from walking in public without applying any cosmetic product. Also, there was a time when the use of cosmetics was completely abandoned by the European population. This was because of it being associated with prostitutes who applied too much of it to conceal their age and also to enhance their beauty. The rulers, in essence, made public deliberations that wearing the cosmetics were not decent. Church leaders, on the other hand, associated them with Satanism and devil worship making their followers have some sense of fear if they wanted to use them.
This rise in Christianity notably culminated to a decrease in the use of cosmetics in several cultures. In spite of this, in the middle age period, women still strived to acquire the pale look. Exposing one’s self to the sun was another way to obtain this type of paleness. This was mainly for those females who were fortunate enough to be in possession of servants i.e. rich women. Besides, their desire to achieve this type of look drove some of them to occasionally bleeding, as well as, coloring themselves with paints and powders that were soluble in water. The consideration of makeups as a taboo in some cultures consequently made the reconstruction concept gain popularity among the ladies who considered themselves fashionable. Such treatments encompassed utilizing various chin straps, headdresses and also plucking eyebrows until they achieved a thin line.
Basically, cosmetic application commenced at around 500,000 BC. The first people to make use of them were the Europeans and also Africans, particularly those who inhabited caves. They made use of paint which was a product of mud, as well as, dry plants for purposes of painting themselves together with their houses as a means of decorations. As a health benefit, the decorative paint assisted in keeping them away from mosquitoes. The Egyptians then took up cosmetic use between 3000 and 2500 BC. Because of this early adoption, they were regarded as those who pioneered mixing of ingredients for purposes of applying them on their body parts. Anciently, the Egyptians applied cosmetics in order to look presentable, clean and also to connect with their gods. They had an ingrained love particularly for the strong and sweetly scented perfumes that they constantly applied onto their gods.
For their eye shadows, the Egyptians used crushed eggs belonging to ants, kohl, Galena and malachite as the preferred ingredients. Other ingredients together with copper ores were utilized in making Kohl that enabled them transform their eyelids into a dark gray color. The primary purpose of using a black color was ingrained in their belief that it would guard them against adverse spiritual forces. This was basically because of the availability of several gods that they worshiped. The copper present in this dark color would also help towards their protection from the scorching sun. The paint was applied to both gender and even children. This just shows how cosmetics were an important element in the Egyptian way of life. The superstitions that they held onto were a contributing factor towards their massive usage of the products. They applied them to only particular parts in the face.
Among the Greeks, innovations that were brought about by the Egyptians were completely taken up by this society. However, they changed the ways of making connections with their gods in a much different manner in comparison to how the Egyptians had done through the use of cosmetics. In spite of this, the aesthetic use of cosmetics was still vibrant among the Grecians. In this period, makeups were left for a select few women in the society who were wealthy, as well as, high ranking. There was a belief amongst this community that the stay-at-home women had absolutely no reason for being attractive. As a result, they minimally if at all applied any cosmetic because they were considered as those who took care of their families. Worth noting is that when the Romans also adopted the concept of cosmetics, they inculcated different forms of ingredients that suited them wholly. Their women and also men tried every manner possible to look good through the application of various cosmetics that were made locally and others imported.
In the period around 1559, English women were allowed to create their own styles of makeup by Queen Elizabeth the first who was the ruler then. Women adored a face that was pale white which essentially culminated into the acquisition of this trend. The English women were very much concerned about their beauty. The permission that was granted by the queen as a result immensely assisted in the achievement of their prospects with matters pertaining to their personal beauty and that of their households. It must be realized that the pronounced use of makeup by the European women massively decreased as the concept of Christianity was being slowly taken up. Some other cosmetics were even considered to be a taboo which consequently encouraged the adoption of reconstruction concepts where a measure of control was tied to every activity that human beings participated. Heavy applications were, therefore, discouraged by various ruling authorities.
The recent historical perspective on cosmetics
The commencement of the twentieth century brought with it an increasing use of those cosmetics that were considered safe. As a result, medical officers started partnering with the cosmetic industry so as to ensure the maintenance of safer standards. Worth noting is that the issue of safety became a fundamental selling aspect particularly during promotional and advertising activities. This centurial turn also resulted in a major increase in the freedoms of choice concerning whether to apply excessive makeup or just remain natural with little or no makeup and other cosmetics at all. In spite of flappers being condemned for wearing too much cosmetics i.e. heavy eyeliners, different cheek colors and brightened lips, both modes were generally acceptable in several societies in this new era.
The 1920s, as well as, the 1930s also witnessed the introduction of several types of lipsticks e.g. a kiss proof one, the first ever nail polish that was liquid and multiple types of modern base powder compacts and blushes. The cosmetic industry, as a result, become an instant boom and many of the wealthy women of the time would not do without them. Another revolution called the Tan also came up during this time. Because of this new revolution, women no longer strived for the pale look that they had adored so much. This gave them a unique golden look and was loved, especially by wealthy women who did not work, but only took care of their households. The gorgeous ladies thus spent most of their time resting in the sun for purposes of achieving their desired transformation in regard to the golden appearance and soft nature of their skins. Every woman desired to achieve a fashionable sense that was in resonance with the prevailing trends of the society that time.
During the Middle Ages, the noble women and in fact everyone else cared about his appearance. As a result, having mirrors in their possession was completely of the essence. Because the women who were considered as the low class had to toil in agricultural farms, their faces were regularly tanned. Contrastingly, noble women managed to keep the pale color of their skins since most of their time was spent indoors. The use of white lead on the skin would, as a result, make one to appear more aristocratic. During this time, blonde hair was also massively considered fashionable. Therefore, several women had this hairstyle for purposes of keeping up with the trends. Also, there were extensive pressures for older women to appear younger than their actual age. The use of cosmetics, therefore, boosted their efforts in trying to look this young. Worth noting is that there was also a massive increase in the number of salons because of the ever bulging number of women who wanted to enhance their beauty. However, these women were often clumsy to admit that they desired to look young and consequently entered the salons with the backdoor to avoid speculation.
Conclusion
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